Worthing Sailing Club memberships
Worthing Sailing Club in West Sussex reports a boost to its membership following the pandemic.
The club is a not for profit community amateur sports club who promotes sailing to the local community. The Worthing Sailing Club welcomes members of all abilities and walks of life, from beginners to national champions. Membership includes free tuition, racing, a place to store your boat, social events and use of club facilities.
Membership sees significant boost in 2021
Dan England, Worthing Sailing Club’s Commodore, says: “These past two years our leadership team has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep the club operational as much as possible, when social distancing rules have allowed, providing a much needed distraction away from the ‘Covid blues’ for our local community.
“We’ve seen over a 20% uplift in membership in 2021 compared to 2020, most of the growth coming from young families joining up with their children and learning to sail with us from scratch.
“There has also been a significant uplift in other watersport memberships including stand-up paddleboarding, sea kayaking and sea swimming. We hope this trend continues in 2022 and we continue to welcome anyone with an interest in non-powered watersports to join us”
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is reporting the number of sailing club members in England is back up to pre-pandemic levels with over 255,000 people in England currently members of their local sailing clubs and 34,000 joining last year in 2021.
Sailing clubs as family activities
Rob Clark, RYA Director of Sport Development or RDO: “We know that spending time outside and on the water during the pandemic has been a source of solace for many. Sailing clubs are an affordable place to spend time with your family doing an activity that everyone can participate in.
“Results from our annual Club Membership Census are also showing more family and junior memberships which is fantastic and we know that many venues are now offering even more activities for their members whether that’s SUPing, kayaking, swimming or windsurfing”.
RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
The RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show will be at Farnborough International on 26th-27th February. The show promises to be a great day out with plenty to inspire and entertain all ages including sailing, windsurfing and winging simulators, activity pool and plenty of competitions. Kids go free all weekend.
More information and purchasing tickets: www.rya.org.uk/events/dinghy-show
Worthing Sailing Club: www.worthingsailingclub.co.uk
